WHAT IS ORÍKÌ? Oriki is an important and cultural, but unwritten (oral) genre of Yoruba literature that is usually used in praise singing. The Yoruba people have very rich cultural oral literature, oriki is one of them. Oríkì is used during individual or communal ceremonies, for individuals or the community. Oríkì possesses a full definition of its owner. For instance, it tells of the nobility, the origin, the fame, profession, accomplishments, beliefs, eating habits, discipline, to mention a few about its owner. It should be noted that Yoruba people have oríkì for almost every existing thing in their environment; the animals, plants, animate and inanimate organisms. Although oríkì is most of the time meant to praise sing, it also used otherwise. For instance, thief (olè) has its own oríkì. While the brave, heroes and the warriors in a community have oríkì with which they are identified, traitors, the compromises in a community also have their oríkì. CATEGORIES OF ORÍKÌ The following are some categories of oríkì. 1. Oríkì Olorun (Oríkì for God): The Yorubas understand and respect the existence of God, as the supreme force and power that holds the universe. There are different verses and versions of oríkì that exist for God. Some of the names that exist for God in his oríkì include; Orisa nla, Olodumare etc.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 07:40:39 +0000
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